Willock signals “Heavy Lifting” post Elections in order to restore VI

At-Large Candidate and Former Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Communications and Works, Businessman, Mr Julian Willock says the future of the Virgin Islands now rests in the hands of the Delegates of the Virgin Islands Party and voters. Photo: VINO/File

ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI - The future of the Virgin Islands (VI) now rests in the hands of the Delegates of the Virgin Islands Party (VIP)—and voters at large—given the ‘heavy lifting’ that is required to elevate the Territory out of its current slump, following the upcoming General Elections.

This is the view held by At-Large Candidate and Former Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Communications and Works, Businessman, Mr Julian Willock, in a recent public address to the VIP Delegates.

According to the ardent VIP member, “following the next General Election there will be a lot of heavy lifting,” saying, “how do we get back on our feet financially, how do we create meaningful private sector jobs for our people, how do we address the public register of beneficial ownership that has the potential to wipe out our financial services sector?”

Youth Participation

Mr Willock also pointed to the move by the United Kingdom (UK) to exit the European Union—Brexit—in addition to the “rebuilding of our homes, churches, businesses, schools and other Infrastructure.”

He said too, “self-determination, constitutional reform, consumer protection (the) treatment by some insurance companies, crime and the quality of life, our youths and the elderly,” are also matters of urgent concern.

Speaking specifically to Youths, Mr Willock questioned “...how do they participate in a meaningful way in our democracy?”

According to the At-Large Candidate, the VIP internal elections at its upcoming Congress, “along with the General Election will call for visionaries and thinking outside of the box, for the hard truth is the VI needs help; lots of help as we turn a new page but together we can achieve it.”

Progressive Policies

Confident in a VIP victory at the upcoming elections, Mr Willock pointed to progressive policies to lift the people of the VI, “and not so much with speeches that sound good but are good and sound.”

Mr Willock was adamant, “at this stage in our country’s development we deserve better…our people have suffered long and too much and working with the VIP team, we have solutions to make your lives better than it was three years ago.”

He said the next generation of peoples in the VI deserves hope.

Mr Willock in a direct appeal said, “VIP Delegates, believe it or not, the future of this country rests in your hands…”

Solutions

Mr Willock in a subsequent public broadcast, committed to rolling out more ‘solutions’—in addition to several new initiatives already being promulgated by the At-Large Candidate.

He observes that merely pointing out the failures of the National Democratic Party (NDP) administration, “alone,” will not remedy the status quo.

He gave the commitment during a public video broadcast, released on August 3, 2018.

According to the At-Large Candidate, “…I am aware that pointing out failures of this government alone, does not put food on residents’ tables, does not full our vehicles or scooters with gas, does not reduce the hardships, the hopelessness residents continue to face (and) that is why I will continue to bring solutions on how we can move our people to prosperity and reduce poverty in our beloved VI.”

Mr Willock has already put up for public discourse, at least four bold new revenue making initiatives, including a, ‘National Lottery System,’ small-scale ‘Manufacturing’ on the sister islands, as well as ‘Hotel Branding.’

The At-Large Candidate has also proposed the introduction of a ‘Town Council’ system, to bring greater attention to the sister islands—beginning with Virgin Gorda.

These, in addition to the proposed appointment of a National Security Advisor, to help in the coordination of the various law enforcement agencies.

He will still have to appear before the upcoming VIP Congress, for their approval to secure a place on the party's 2018/2019 election's slate, as one of its four At Large Candidates for the next General Elections.

BVI voters dont vote for people speaking anything with sense. They vote for who giving them the brown envelopes. They think on self instead of country then B*tch and moan when the country isnt progressing. SMH.....sad state of affairs in my country.

To fellow Virgin Islanders, it is election time. And you are interviewing candidates to represent YOU in the HOA so this is the time to get answers to your questions. This is the time to find out what the new government plan is to improve your/our lives, what is it priorities, how will it pay for services, what is the opportunity cost.......etc. You got the power at the polls and after the election, not the politicians. We got the true power and must not cede it to politicians.

Julian Willock is on point. It will take some heavy lifting for the the BVI to recover. Natural disasters, less than effective governing, questionable financial stewardship and fiduciary oversight, external legislative action, less than strong leadership, cockiness...........etc has thrusted the territory into crisis. It will require strong leadership to put it back on course. It will require visionary planning, programming, budgeting, executing......etc to rebuild the BVI better and stronger than pre-Irma and Maria. There is an opportunity to correct the missteps of the past. For starters it needs a national development plan;plan must be executed regardless of which government is in power.

Are we better off now than when the VIP was in power? Well, the answer is a resounding no. This is the worst economic depression in the history of the BVI. Apart from the hurricane and the flooding that took the blame for everything that affect the territory negatively, one has to ask where did all the monies that were spent went to.

So many projects that were over run with their budgets and allege corruption, the Hon. Premier Smith doesn't have a formula to restore the country. It is time for a change.

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